Unearthing a Russian Disinformation Network Targeting Moldova's Elections

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:39:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An undercover investigation reveals a covert Russian-funded disinformation campaign aiming to destabilize Moldova's upcoming parliamentary elections by spreading fake news and pro-Russian propaganda.

A recent BBC undercover investigation has uncovered a secret network funded by Russia, attempting to interfere in Moldova's parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28. The network has allegedly paid participants to disseminate misleading information against the ruling pro-EU party and gather biased polling data from citizens. Connections have been traced back to sanctioned oligarch Ilan Shor and a non-profit organization involved in previous electoral manipulation in Moldova.

A secret Russian-funded network is attempting to disrupt upcoming democratic elections in an eastern European state, as revealed by a recent BBC investigation.

Using an undercover reporter, we discovered that this network promised to pay participants for posting pro-Russian propaganda and fake news aimed at undermining Moldova's pro-EU ruling party in the lead-up to the country's parliamentary ballot scheduled for September 28.

Participants were incentivized to seek out supporters of Moldova's pro-Russian opposition for secret recordings and conduct bogus polls under the guise of a non-existent organization, making their activities illegal. Results from these biased polls, which falsely suggested a loss for the ruling party, have already circulated online.

Official statistics indicate that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), associated with President Maia Sandu, is actually leading over the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP).

Investigators found connections between the disinformation network and Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, who is in exile in Moscow and has been sanctioned by the US and UK for his alleged ties to Kremlin operations. Additionally, the network was linked to the NGO Evrazia, also sanctioned for previous electoral meddling.

Through a whistleblower, the investigation infiltrated this Russian-backed network coordinated via Telegram, revealing operational methods that included recruiting members for clandestine online seminars to prepare for disinformation campaigns.

Recruiters like Alina Juk were noted to use social media platforms to spread misleading narratives, including unfounded accusations against the current government. Moreover, recruits were instructed to produce content using AI tools while avoiding excessive reliance on technology to make posts appear more authentic.

In the lead-up to the elections, the network's operations reportedly reached millions across social media, with evidence suggesting a vast layout of TikTok accounts designed to mislead and sway public opinion.

Despite inquiries sent to Ilan Shor and Evrazia concerning these operations, no responses were received. The investigation's findings serve as a stark reminder of how external forces seek to manipulate democratic processes on a global scale.